Drug hope for dementia and stroke victims

A DRUG to prevent dementia and strokes could soon be on the horizon after a breakthrough study. British scientists have reversed a condition that causes blood vessels in the brain to narrow – triggering the devastating neurological illnesses.

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It stops production of a layer called the “myelin sheath”, which insulates neurons and helps them to send messages around the brain.

Using drugs to stop these lining cells becoming dysfunctional reversed the symptoms of SVD, tests on rats found.

Professor Anna Williams from the university said the study opens the door to a potential new approach to dementia and stroke.

She said: “This important research helps us understand why small vessel disease happens – providing a direct link between small blood vessels and changes in the brain that are linked to dementia. It also shows these changes may be reversible which paves the way for potential treatments.”

About 850,000 Britons suffer from dementia, costing £26billion a year (Image: GETTY STOCK)

About 850,000 Britons suffer from dementia, costing £26billion a year.

By 2025 the number is expected to rise to one million and then double by 2050.

Prof Williams, whose findings were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, said studies are needed to test if the therapy works when SVD is firmly established.

The researchers will also need to check if the treatment can reverse the symptoms of dementia in humans.

Damage to myelin is a core feature of other neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s for which there are currently no cure.

Dr Sara Imarisio, head of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK which part-funded the study, said: “The findings highlight a promising direction for research.

“There are currently no drugs that slow down or stop Alzheimer’s disease and no treatments to help people living with vascular dementia.

“Alzheimer’s Research UK is very pleased to have helped fund this innovative research, which is only possible thanks to the work of our dedicated supporters.”